Mechanism for making hats.



J. J. TRACY. MECHANISM FOR MAKING HA APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29. I9

Patented Dec. 24, 1918.

f Wm d 3Q im of r Ewes/vans- JAMES J. TRACY. OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

MECHANISM FOR MAKING HATS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 24, 1918.

Original application filed April 3. 1913. Serial No. 758,564. Dividedand this application filed December 29, 1916. Serial No. 139,461.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I. Janus J. TRACY, acitizemof the United States. and a resident of (-Ileveland, county of(uyahogin and State of Ohio. have invented anew and useful Iniprovementin Mechanism for Making Hats. of which the following is a specification,the principle of the invention being herein explaihed and the best modein which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as todistinguish it from other inventions.

In the manufacture of straw hats as heretofore carried ()lL Jlle usualprocedure is to sew the braid to the shape desired, whether consistingof the crown and the brim joined, or made separately; thereupon Such hatshape is sponged with liquid glue or size and dried in a drying chamber,where a temperature of 100 F. oithigher has to be maintained in order toetfect the drying with suflicient expedition; from said drying chamberthe hats or parts thereof are taken in a very much distorted condition,and steamed over open steam boxes to soften them; and then they arefinally blocked by being pressed over interiorl y heated forms of thedesired shape. being worked down by hand. and pressure blocks beingapplied to the outside. until they have set. it being understood thatthe form blocks are maintained at such an temperaturekas to dry the gluein the straw and thus cause the latter to retain the final desiredshape.

The object of the present invention is to provide apparatus ormechanism, whereby the foregoing operations in connection with themanufacture of straw hats may be very materially shortened and in parteutirely eliminated. thereby materially quickening the process ofmanufacture and at the same time rendering the work pleasentergandLihlt'l' for the operators. To the :ll't'lllllplishmeut of the foregoingand related ends said invention. then. consists of the means hereinafterfully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, it beingunderstood that the method aspect of the invention forms the subjectmatter of a separate application (now issued into Patent No. 1,214,845.under date of February 6, 1917). out of which the present case has beenrequired to be divided.

The annexed drawing and the following descri'pt ion set forth in detailcertain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting. however. but one of various mechanical forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation and partial sectional view of my mechanismfor making hats; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of such mechanism;and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an element removed from the rest ofthe mechanism.

The apparatus utilized in carrying out my improved method of manufactureis relatiyely simple, consisting of a table or workbench 1, that carriesa series of apertnred base-plates 2. upon which the hat molds 3, whetherfor the crown of the hat. as shown at the right, or the whole hat. aredesigned to rest, such Whole hat or part thereof being termediudifl'erently a hat-part in the present specification. These molds maybe made out of plaster of Paris and the portion thereof designed toreceive the hit part is provided with a number of closely arrangedperforations. An annular sheet 4 of soft rubber, or like packingmaterial. may be interposed between each base-plate 2 and the moldresting thereon. if found necessary to form a tight seal between thel\\'n such seal being desirable for reasons that will present I vappear. Connected with the central aperlure in each base-plate is theHaring. or funnellike, upper end 5 of a duct 6. the lower end of whichis connected to a manifold or main duct, 7 leading to a suction fan 8.The latter may be operated by a motor 9, as shown, or any other suitabledriving mechanisni.

Removably supported within the conical or funnel-like upper end 5 ofeach ddct 6 is a receptacle in the form of a. cup 10 with flaring wallsof the form shown in Fig. 3, having lugs or arms 11 extending laterallyfrom its edge, so as to support the-cup in the position shown at theleft in Fig. 1, just below or in the opening in the baseplate 2.

In such opening a ring 12 of bevelled shape is preferably inserted. theinner edge of the ring form ng a flange for the opening in the base,that extends within the edge of the cup. This ring may be supportedeither from the sheet of packing, where such is used. or directly fromthe base 2.

Below the cup, at a convenient point i each duct, is a valve 13preferably of the familiar slide type. operable by a handle 14;

In utilizing the foregoing apparatus, the

hat-parts are taken just as they come from the sewers, and are fittedover the molds 3 intended for their reception, the valves 13 in thecorresponding ducts being closed.

Thereupon, by opening any particular valve, a suflicient suction iscreated within the corresponding mold to hold the hat-part firmlythereon, whether crown or brim, and while it is thus held snugly ontothe mold, the glue, or sizing, is applied in liquid form with a sponge.Any excess of the glue that is drawn through the hat and through themold is caught by the cup 10 in the throat of the duct, the ring 12below the mold serving to uide the particles of glue into said cup. hecup being removable may be taken out and emptied, as occasion demands.It may also be desirable to locate a similar separator in the dischargeduct 17 leading from the fan 8, in order to intercept any particles ofglue that may be carried along with the draft of air past the cup 10..

The current of air, drawn through the hat resting on the mold after theapplication of the glue, very quickly dries the latter and obviouslyleaves the hat of exactly the desired form. There is no chance for thehatpart to buckle or \varp. this being \'er apt to occur.particularlyat' the peak of the crown. when the hat is subjected toheating. as is necessary in the prevailing method of manufacture. Asidefrom this and other advantages pertaining to the betterment of theproduct. the simplification in manufacture permits a very considerableincrease in rate of production, one man doing as much as three men underthe old conditions. while owing to the absence of all heating andsteaming steps the comfort of the operator is much greater.

Other modes of applying the'principle of my invention-may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the means stated by anyof the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention 1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination ofan apertured base; airsuction means connected with the aperture 1,assmaz in said base, a hollow, perforated mold, of the shape of thehat-part being formed, adapted to rest on said base; and means adaptedto collect any liquid drawn through such aperture by said air-suctionmeans.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of anapertured base; a suction fan; a duct connecting the aperture in saidbase with said fan; a hollow, perforated mold, of the shape of thehat-part being formed, adapted to rest on said base; and a receptacledisposed to intercept and collect any liquid drawn through such apertureby said fan.

In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an aperturedbase; fi'SlltF tion fan; a duct connecting the aperture in said basewith said fan: a cup supported in said d not below -such aperture; and ahollow, perforated mold. of the shape of the hatpart being formed.adapted to rest on said base.

4. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of anapertured base; a sues tion fan: a duct having a flaring end connectingthe aperture in said base with said fan; a cup removably snpportedinSuch flaring end of said duct just below the aperture in said base: aflange for such aperture extending within the edge of said cup: and ahollow. perforated mold. of the shape of thc hat-part being formed.adapted to rest on said base.

In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a baseformed with an aperture: an annular sheet of packing material on saidbase; a suction fan; a duct having a flaring end connecting the aperturein said base with said fan; a cup removably supported in such flaringend of said duct just below the aperture in said base: a ring of beveledshape resting on said annular sheet. and forming a flange extendingwithin the edge of said cup; and a hollow, perforated mold, of the shapeof the hat being formed, adapted to rest on said annlllilar sheet andform a sealed joint therewit Signed by me, this 20th day of December,916.

JAMES J. TRACY.

